DB Cargo Monitors Freight Cars Using Artificial Intelligence

DB Cargo is leveraging artificial intelligence to make rail freight transport even more efficient: A AI technology can literally read the condition and, recently, important operational data while rolling through marshalling yards. DB Cargo is using existing camera bridges for this purpose. With the AI initiative in freight transport, Deutsche Bahn is following its long-term growth strategy Strong Rail: The digital eye ensures more freight on the climate-friendly rail, as operations can be handled much faster and more effectively.

(Mainz) For some time now, DB Cargo has been using camera bridges for the digital diagnostics of freight cars across the board. A total of 13 camera bridges are located at the eight largest freight yards in Germany. Freight trains pass through portals equipped with high-speed cameras and lighting. An AI analyzes the captured images for damages.

Now, another feature is being rolled out: The most important car information can be read and analyzed by AI in seconds. The labeling of the cars contains essential operational data such as tare weight, brakes, loading dimensions, and much more. The check of this data is legally required and must be completed anew for each train formation.

Until now, employees with long IT lists exclusively performed this work manually, which required a correspondingly high amount of time. With the new AI-supported image processing, DB Cargo can accurately recognize and further process the 15 most important labels of a freight car. The new AI technology is now being tested nationwide. It is expected to accelerate the provision of freight cars while significantly easing the workload of employees.

Funding from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport

This primarily benefits DB Cargo’s customers. As the largest freight railway in Europe with over 83,000 freight cars, DB Cargo offers its services across the entire continent and also transports thousands of freight cars from other companies in its trains. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport as part of the Future Rail Freight Transport program.

Photo: © DB AG/ Volker Emersleben